“In the current global situation, the challenges for the Bulgarian regions are multifaceted - climate change, socio-economic inequalities, urbanization, demographic imbalances. Under these conditions, the sustainable development of the regions is not just a strategic goal - it is a necessity. Our task is to ensure growth that does not exhaust natural resources, that reduces the carbon footprint and at the same time creates quality of life and opportunities for everyone in large cities“. This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov during his participation in the GREEN TRANSITION 5.0 forum. He joined a discussion on the topic “Sustainable development of the regions. Carbon-neutral and smart cities: From vision to neutrality.“
Minister Ivanov pointed out that sustainability is at the heart of regional development policies aimed at integrating environmental, economic and social aspects. Through EU instruments, as well as through cohesion policy and the Just Transition Mechanism, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works supports projects that promote energy efficiency, green infrastructure, innovation and digitalization.
The Minister also reminded that during the 2021-2027 programming period, the “Regional Development (RD)“ Program has a budget of 6.5 billion leva under the European Regional Development Fund and the Just Transition Fund, with the activities under the program being implemented using a completely new approach – through integrated territorial investments. A key point in the new territorial approach is that projects should be identified “bottom-up”, which encourages intersectoral and inter-institutional dialogue and coordination, with the initiative for their implementation coming from local stakeholders.
The Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in recent months has taken specific measures to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency projects in the housing sector under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) in active communication with municipalities to ensure timely launch and activities for maximum absorption of funds within the stipulated deadlines. The Ministry has finalized the process of concluding contracts for the provision of grant aid under the procedure “Support for sustainable energy renovation of multi-family residential buildings, including addressing energy poverty” under the 2021-2027 RDP.
Minister Ivanov pointed out that the MRDPW provides for specific measures and financial mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency programs and multi-family and single-family residential buildings within the 2021-2027 RDP.